For those who need help achieving better vision, contact lenses can be a great alternative to glasses. They allow you to see more clearly without altering your appearance or interfering with an active lifestyle. However, there are important guidelines to follow for healthy contact wear and care. This will help prevent a variety of eye problems and ensure your lenses last as long as possible. Here are a few best practices for contact use.

Do:

Maintain a proper cleaning regimen.

Contact lenses must be properly cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis. Before touching them, always wash your hands to prevent transferring dirt, debris, and germs. They should be stored in a contact case and soaked in fresh solution each night to keep them clean and moist. Wash out the case whenever putting your lenses back in your eyes and leave it open to dry. Never use tap water or saliva to rinse off your contacts, as this can leave bacteria behind.

Replace lenses as recommended.

All contact lenses are designed to be replaced within a specific timeframe, which could be every day, every two weeks, or within one to three months. Whatever the recommendations are for your lenses, it’s vital not to ignore them. Many people try to get longer use out of their contacts by only changing them when they start to become irritating. However, not switching them out often enough will cause protein and germs to build up, which can lead to infection.

Don’t:

Wear contacts during sleep or water activities.

Your contacts should be taken out every night before bed. Sleeping in them reduces oxygen flow to the eye and can cause the cornea to swell, increasing your risk of infection. It’s also important to remove your lenses when you take a shower, go swimming, or sit in the hot tub to avoid exposing them to bacterial organisms in the water.

Fail to schedule regular eye exams.

Contact wearers should have their eyes examined once a year. These visits will help monitor your eye health and allow your optometrist to see how your vision is responding to the lenses. Keeping up with regular appointments will also give your doctor the opportunity to detect any changes that require an adjustment in your prescription.  

If you’re interested in wearing contact lenses, visit Dr. Michael R. Schmit to find out whether or not you’re a good candidate. He’ll perform a thorough exam that evaluates the overall health of your eyes and determine if contacts are a suitable option to help correct your vision. As a skilled optometrist with more than 30 years of experience, he and his staff are committed to providing residents throughout the Greater Cincinnati, OH, area with high-quality eye care and optical solutions. Call (513) 741-8811 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online for more information about their services.